Hims & Hers

Short answer: yes — some online ED services either provide counseling themselves or will connect you with therapists who treat performance anxiety. If you want more than pills, look for services that pair medical care with behavioral health or that let you book a sex therapist directly. Options to consider Hims & Hers — sells ED meds but also offers mental‑health services (therapy and psychiatry) and sexual‑health content. Good if you want a single provider for meds plus talk therapy options. Ro / Roman — primarily an ED telemedicine clinic for meds but they also provide behavioral‑health referrals and resources and can coordinate follow‑up care. PlushCare — telemedicine primary care that also offers integrated behavioral‑health visits (licensed therapists/psychiatrists), so you can address performance anxiety alongside medical treatment. BetterHelp and Talkspace — general online therapy platforms with large therapist networks; you can request clinicians who specialize in sexual performance anxiety or male sexual dysfunction (therapy-only — no prescriptions). Affordable, flexible messaging/video therapy. Lasting (app) — relationship/couples therapy app with modules on intimacy and performance concerns; useful if anxiety is relational or couple‑related. Psychology Today and the AASECT directory — if you want a specialist, search Psychology Today’s therapist directory or the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) to find licensed, AASECT‑certified sex therapists who treat performance anxiety and sexual dysfunction specifically. How to choose If you want meds plus counseling in one place, pick a telehealth clinic that advertises integrated behavioral health (Hims, PlushCare, Roman — confirm current offerings). If you want specialized sex therapy, use AASECT or Psychology Today to find a certified sex therapist (they have targeted training in sexual dysfunction and performance anxiety). Ask any provider whether they have experience treating performance anxiety specifically (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, sensate focus, couples work) and whether they coordinate with prescribers if you want both therapy and medication. If you’d like, tell me your country or ZIP/postal code and whether you want couples vs. individual therapy, and I can find a few specific therapists or telehealth clinics that serve your area.

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Short answer: it depends on where you live. Most commercial telehealth companies (Nurx, Lemonaid, Ro/PlushCare, Pill Club, Hims/ForHers, etc.) generally require patients to be 18+, so they do not prescribe for minors. The best options for teens are local sexual‑health clinics (including Planned Parenthood), school‑based health centers, and some state or national teen-friendly telehealth programs that explicitly allow minors to consent to contraceptive care. What to try next Planned Parenthood (local health center or the Planned Parenthood Direct app): Planned Parenthood clinics routinely provide confidential birth control for teens in many states and offer telehealth visits in many areas. This is the most reliable place to ask about prescriptions for those under 18. Local Title X clinics / community health centers / school‑based health centers: these often provide contraceptive services to teens and may offer telehealth. Search “[your city] teen health clinic” or “[your state] Title X family planning.” State or regional teen telehealth services: some states run or license programs that explicitly serve adolescents (availability varies by state). Check your state health department website. Ask your pediatrician or adolescent medicine provider: many will prescribe contraception and can arrange phone/video visits. Why most commercial services won’t: telehealth companies that ship birth control nationwide usually set an 18+ policy for legal and prescribing reasons. Parental‑consent and minor‑consent laws vary by state/country, which is why availability differs. If you tell me what state or country you’re in, I can: look up specific local or online services that accept minors where you live, and point you to contact pages and teen‑friendly options.

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Chewable/Compounded ED Meds: Are They Worth It? What You're Actually Getting Compounded chewable ED meds contain the same active ingredients (sildenafil, tadalafil, or both) as brand-name pills - just in a different form. Reputable Options Worth Considering Hims and Roman offer chewable sildenafil/tadalafil chews that are popular and reasonably priced, with legitimate telehealth prescriptions. BlueChew is the most well-known specifically for chewables - they offer sildenafil and tadalafil in chew form, FDA-approved ingredients, and straightforward monthly subscriptions. UpperCase and Keeps also offer compounded options through licensed providers. Honest Assessment Potential advantages: Easier to swallow for some people Can be discreet Often cheaper than brand-name pills May absorb slightly faster (chewable form) Legitimate concerns: Compounded pharmacies aren't FDA-approved the same way manufactured pills are Quality control varies You're paying a premium for the form, not better medicine Bottom Line Generic sildenafil or tadalafil pills from GoodRx at your local pharmacy are often the best value - sometimes under $1/pill with coupons, same active ingredient, proven manufacturing standards. The chewables are convenient but not medically superior. Choose based on your preference and budget.

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Short answer: sometimes — many reputable online BHRT (bioidentical hormone replacement therapy) clinics do use real, licensed physicians or nurse practitioners and arrange laboratory monitoring, but practices vary widely. You need to evaluate each clinic on its own. What “proper” online BHRT care looks like A licensed, board‑certified clinician (MD/DO, NP, or PA) reviews your medical history and symptoms before prescribing. Baseline labs are ordered (common tests: estradiol, testosterone, FSH/LH as appropriate; SHBG; TSH; CBC; CMP/electrolytes/liver function; lipids; PSA for men; pregnancy test for people who can get pregnant). A clear follow‑up plan: labs at ~6–12 weeks after starting or changing dose, then periodic monitoring (often every 6–12 months), and scheduled follow‑up visits to adjust therapy. Use of FDA‑approved hormone products when possible (patches, pills, injections); if compounded bioidentical products are used, the clinic should explain the reasons/risks and the compounding pharmacy should meet standards. Easy access to the treating clinician for questions or side effects and clear medical records/consent. How to check a telehealth BHRT clinic Verify the clinician’s license and board certification (ask for name and NPI, then check your state medical board and the NPI registry). Ask what baseline and follow‑up labs they require and which lab they use. Legit clinics will order tests at major commercial labs (LabCorp, Quest, etc.) or accept local lab draws. Ask their follow‑up schedule and how dose changes are handled. Confirm whether they use compounded hormones or FDA‑approved products, and why. Look for transparent pricing, published privacy policy, and clear contact information. Red flags Prescribing solely on an online questionnaire with no clinician review or no labs. One‑size‑fits‑all dosing or lifetime prescriptions with no follow‑up. No way to reach a prescribing clinician, or refusal to provide clinician name/license. Promises that “bioidentical” = risk‑free or “natural so it’s always safe.” Compounded products pushed without justification. Examples of telehealth services (to research) Hims & Hers — mainstream telehealth brand offering hormone therapy options with licensed clinicians and lab partnerships; consumer‑friendly and transparent. Ro / Roman — well‑known telehealth company that offers testosterone therapy for men with clinician oversight and lab testing. Plume — specializes in gender‑affirming HRT for transgender and nonbinary people; known for provider experience and care pathways. Lemonaid Health — offers a range of telehealth prescriptions (including some hormone therapies) with clinician review and lab testing options. (These are examples to start your vetting — policies and services change, so always confirm current practices before enrolling.) When to choose in‑person care Significant medical history (blood clots, uncontrolled cardiovascular disease, stroke, active cancer, complex endocrine problems). Poor response or side effects to therapy, or if you prefer hands‑on exams (pelvic exam, DEXA scans) coordinated immediately. If you want, tell me: whether the BHRT is for menopause, low testosterone, or gender‑affirming care, and any clinics you’re comparing — I can help check what monitoring they say they provide and what to ask them.

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Short answer: it depends on what you need. For routine pills/patch/ring and convenience, online telehealth services are usually easier. For the lowest out‑of‑pocket cost (especially for IUDs/implants, STI testing, or sliding‑scale care) and same‑day procedures, Planned Parenthood is usually cheaper and more complete. Quick comparison Ease / convenience Online telehealth (examples: Nurx, Hers, Lemonaid Health, PillClub, Planned Parenthood Direct app): Very easy — you fill an online medical form, a clinician reviews it, and prescriptions are mailed to you. Good for renewals and if you don’t need an exam. Automatic refills and home delivery make it low‑friction. Planned Parenthood (in‑person or telehealth): Less “instant” — you may need an appointment and travel time. Good walk‑in availability at many centers but takes more time than a mailed prescription. Cost With insurance: usually cheapest anywhere — most birth control pills are covered with no copay under the ACA. Check your plan. Without insurance: Online services: often charge a monthly fee for telehealth + meds; generics typically $10–$30/month (varies by provider and medication). Some services accept insurance. Planned Parenthood: offers sliding‑scale fees and Title X discounts; for low‑income patients this can make pills, injections, and long‑acting methods far cheaper. IUD/implant insertion has higher upfront cost but PP often offers reduced prices or payment plans. Pharmacy discounts: GoodRx and large chains (Walmart, Costco, Target/CVS) can offer very low prices on generic pills — worth price‑checking. Scope of services Online: best for pills, patch, ring, some can prescribe Depo‑Provera shots (with local clinic admin) and provide at‑home STI kits. You cannot get IUDs or implants shipped — those require an in‑office procedure. Planned Parenthood: full range (pills, rings, patch, Depo shot, IUDs, implants, sterilization counseling, STI testing/treatment, emergency contraception, pregnancy services). Privacy considerations Online delivery is discreet but insurance EOBs can reveal prescriptions. Some online providers let you pay out of pocket to avoid insurance billing. Planned Parenthood can often provide confidential care for minors or offer services without using your insurance — ask your local clinic. Which to pick (recommendations) If your top priorities are speed and convenience and you just want birth control pills or ring/patch: try an online provider such as Nurx, Hers (Hims & Hers), Lemonaid Health, or PillClub. They’re easy to use, deliver to your door, and often have competitive prices. If you want an IUD or implant, need STI testing, have low/no income, want sliding‑scale fees, or prefer in‑person care: go to Planned Parenthood (or a community health center). Planned Parenthood also has a Planned Parenthood Direct app for telehealth/prescription refills if you prefer some online options. If you want, tell me: whether you have insurance, which method you’re interested in (pill vs IUD/implant/etc.), and I’ll give a specific cost estimate and the easiest next step for your situation.

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FDA and Compounded GLP-1s: What Happened The Background During the semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro/Zepbound) shortages, the FDA allowed compounding pharmacies to legally produce these drugs. This opened up a large market of lower-cost alternatives. What Changed The FDA declared the semaglutide shortage officially resolved in early 2025 and the tirzepatide shortage resolved in late 2024/early 2025, which triggered deadlines for compounders to stop production: 503B outsourcing facilities faced earlier cutoff deadlines 503A pharmacies (patient-specific prescriptions) faced phased deadlines into 2025 The FDA sent warning letters and took enforcement action against many operations Who Is Still Operating Legally (as of mid-2025) The landscape shifted significantly. Generally still permissible: 503A compounding pharmacies filling individualized prescriptions with specific clinical justifications Telehealth platforms that pivoted to FDA-approved branded drugs include Hims & Hers, Ro, and Noom Important Caution This situation is rapidly evolving. I'd recommend checking: FDA.gov for current shortage status A licensed prescriber for your specific options Always verify any pharmacy's 503A/503B status before purchasing.

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